Discusses the importance of mentoring students
 |
| Recent Southern University graduate Mar'Lesha Hollins (seated) poses for a photo with her mentor, Dr. Janana Snowden, while the two examine the antibacterial soap Hollins made with hibiscus sabdariffa extracts for her thesis. |
Baton Rouge, LA – Southern University Ag Center’s Dr. Janana Snowden was mentioned in an
article that appeared in the Fall 2015 Edition of EGO Magazine.
The publication, which is the official student
magazine of the Southern University and A&M College, provides students with
the opportunity to publicize activities and events relevant to the university.
In the article, Mar’Lesha Hollins, a recent graduate who has held many titles
during her tenure at Southern University including: senior level ambassador in
the Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes Honors College, Freshman Class Senator,
Freshman Class President, Sophomore Class Vice-President, Chief of Staff and
Miss Junior; was asked, “Is there a certain professor or administrator you’d
like to recognize who has been a great mentor or extremely helpful,” in which
she acknowledged Dr. Snowden, her research mentor.
Snowden is a research scientist at the SU Ag
Center investigating the medicinal properties and functions of natural products.
Mar’Lesha and Snowden became acquainted last summer when Snowden served as an
adjunct Genetics instructor for the Department of Biology in which Mar’Lesha stated
was her favorite class. She enjoyed Snowden’s teaching tactics so much that she
asked her if she would serve as her Honor’s Thesis mentor.
Mar’Lesha investigated the antibacterial activity
of soap formulation utilizing hibiscus sabdariffa extracts at the SU Ag Center.
She defended her thesis on May 3 and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of
Science in Biology on May 13, 2016, making her the second to graduate with an
Honor’s Thesis under Snowden’s mentorship.
“Since 2006, while working on my doctorate in
Environmental Toxicology, I’ve served as a Research Mentor for the Upward Bound
Math and Science Program. After graduating and beginning my career as a
Research Scientist with the Southern University Ag Center, I’ve continued
mentoring not only students in the Upward Bound Program but university-wide
with most of my student’s being from the Dolores Spikes Honors College. As a
mentor, I feel the most important aspect is being that listening ear or that
positive voice needed in stressful or difficult situations,” said Snowden.
She went on to explain that she teaches her
mentees to apply the problem solving tactics used in the classroom to real-life
situations. She also provides encouragement to students by sharing some of her
experiences.
“I share some of my own life experiences to
show that everything may not go according as planned or be measured justly but
if they keep God first and work hard, they can achieve anything they set their
minds to,” stated Snowden.
She also discussed how serving as a mentor can
become a challenging but rewarding experience.
“Mentoring several students at once keeps me
“on my toes” and knowledgeable as they all receive different projects and I
have to stay on top of each one. The
most rewarding part of serving as a mentor is seeing my students’ graduate
college and bearing witness to their growth and success as young adults and
professionals,” added Snowden.
Mar’Lesha’s full article can be found on page
23 of the EGO Magazine.
###
No comments:
Post a Comment